Page 207 - Westgate Catalog #34 Ver.2

Q&A LED RIBBON LIGHTING I Q & A

Where can LED Ribbon Light be used?
LED Ribbon is a thin, flexible product that is easy to install and can be used for many unique lighting applications, like under
cabinet, retail display case, soffit, landscape, sign lighting, even outlining the architectural features of a building. The fifty thousand
(50,000) hour life expectancy of the SMD LED chips offer many years of maintenance free operation with a low cost per foot
installation.

RIBBO N What is the difference between LED Rope light and LED Ribbon light?
LED Ribbon has a low profile and uses SMD chips which are brighter and more efficient LEDs used
in rope light. The LED Ribbon is flat and the SMD chip emits light in a more focused,
Omni-directionaRlO PE manner over 180 degrees compared with Rope lights that emit light in a
360 degree pattern.

What are SMD5050 and SMD3528 chips? How do they compare with each other? SMD3528
SMD chips have high brightness and low power consumption while minimizing their lumen depreciation SMD5050
due to the epoxy resin coating and integral thermal management. The numbers represent the dimensions
of the chip, for example the SMD5050 chip is .50mm by .50mm square, uses .24 watts and is mounted on F12
a ribbon that is ½” wide. The SMD3528 chip is .35mm by .28mm, consumes .08 watts and is mounted on
a 7/16” wide ribbon. Both are available in warm white (3200K), day light (5500K) and RGB. The letters
SMD represent the words “Surface Mount Device”. All 12 & 24 volt LED Ribbon products are powered
using an LED driver. The LED Ribbon with RGB chips requires the use of a controller.

How many SMD chips per foot? How much power is needed?
Westgate’s LED ribbon contains 19 LED chips per foot and they are spaced approximately 7/16” on center. Each foot of SMD3528
tape light consumes 1.5 watts while each foot of SMD5050 tape light consumes 4.4 watts. An LED driver with 12 or 24V DC
secondary is required for low-voltage ribbon.

Can LED ribbon lights be used outside? Q&A
Yes, if the ribbon has the proper IP (Ingress Protection) cover to protect it against dust and water. The IP54 and IP65 products work
well in damp locations; for example: under eaves. The IP68 rated product can be used for applications with full exposure to rain or
submersed in a fountain on a GFCI protected circuit. The IP20 rated product is for interior “dry” applications only.

Westgate LED ribbon is offered with the following IP ratings
IP20: Indoor use only
IP54: Protected against dust and water splashes (limited ingress permitted)
IP65: Protected against dust and mild water jet (limited ingress permitted)
IP68: Dust tight and protected against immersion in water.

How often can the Ribbon Lights be cut?
ID PR2Y0 IDPA5M4 P Every 2 to 4 inches for low-voltage product.
IP65 / IP68 Cut only on the cut lines printed on the ribbon. You can cut at the
LOCATION LOCATION WET Would it be weatherproof once it is cut? designated marks only.
LOCATION No, once the ribbon is cut it may not be in contact Just look for scissors!
with moisture unless it’s capped and sealed with
silicone and encased in heat shrink.

IP54/IP65 can be cut
with razor knife.

WESTGATE LED Ribbon Nomenclature

Voltage Length Chip Type IP Rating Color Temp

R12V 16 ft. D3 = SMD3528 P20 = Blank CW = Cool White (5000-6000K)
R24V 98 ft. D5 = SMD5050 WW = Warm White (2700-3500K)
P54 = Damp Location
P65 = Wet Location
P68 = Wet Location / Submersible

The above information is provided without any liability and is subject to change without notification.

W W W . W E S T G AT E M F G . C O M T O L L F R E E : 8 7 7 . 8 0 5 . 2 2 5 2 FA X : 8 7 7 . 8 0 9 . 2 2 5 2 WESTGATE MFG